Mrs. Lori Bartholomew (Principal, Preschool Director, 5th-8th Grade Teacher)
Mrs. Bartholomew received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1980 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. She first taught in the English Department at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in Westland, MI. In 1981 she began teaching 5th grade at St. John’s Lutheran School with her husband Tod, who became the principal of St. John’s Lutheran School in 1987. During that time, Mrs. Bartholomew also coached girls’ volleyball, cheerleading, and basketball.
In 1989, Mrs. Bartholomew became a stay at home mom for several years to raise her two sons. In 1994, Mrs. Bartholomew returned to teaching at Huron Valley Lutheran High School and taught Math and Current Events. From 1996-1999 Mrs. Bartholomew was a substitute teacher in the Wayne/Westland Public School system at the Junior High level.
In 1999, Mrs. Bartholomew returned to St. John’s to teach 7th and 8th grade temporarily. In 2000, the congregation of St. John’s officially called Mrs. Bartholomew to teach 7th and 8th grade and to serve as principal and athletic director of the school. She is presently still serving in these three positions.
Mrs. Lillian Henning (3rd-4th Grade Teacher, Athletic Director)
Mrs. Henning grew up in Linwood, MI and graduated from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in 2014. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 2018 from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. St. John’s has been her first call since and she has taught from 2nd grade up to 5th grade in her time here so far.
Mrs. Henning married her husband, John Henning, in June of 2018 and they were blessed with their first child, Adelaide, in November of 2019. Mrs. Henning’s lifelong dream has been to become a teacher and share God’s Word with her students, so this call has fulfilled her dream! Mrs. Henning also enjoys assisting the volleyball team, taking photos of all church and school events, putting together the yearbook for the school, and playing in our church’s adult handbell choir.
Ms. Grace Cook (1st-2nd Grade Teacher)
Ms. Cook grew up in Waukesha, WI and graduated from Luther Prep School in Watertown, WI in 2016 with Ms. Parker. She followed her mother and sister’s footsteps and attended Martin Luther College to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education which she received in May 2020. She was assigned to St. John’s to teach 1st grade and has been with us ever since. Ms. Cook loves teaching and often played “teacher” with her siblings and toys growing up. She has one brother at MLC pursuing the Pastor track and a one sister who teaches 2-4 grade in Chesaning, MI. Overall, Ms. Cook is spiritually and mentally prepared for the challenges of school life!
Mrs. Sharon Dorow (Kindergarten Teacher, Director of Choir and Handbells)
Mrs. Dorow received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1984 from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. In addition to raising her three sons with her husband Eric, Mrs. Dorow helped St. John’s Lutheran School start their Pre-Kindergarten program in 1986. Mrs. Dorow served as a teacher in that program for many years and became the Kindergarten teacher at St. John’s in 2001.
In 2009, Mrs. Dorow started teaching 1st and 2nd grade in addition to Kindergarten and is presently still teaching these three grades at St. John’s. Mrs. Dorow also directs two children’s hand-bell choirs, the children’s vocal choir, the adult vocal choir at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and is a talented flutist. Mrs. Dorow greatly enjoys using her musical gifts to praise God and loves helping others to do the same.
Mrs. Dorow is always looking for new workshops to help her stay up to date on the latest methods for teaching early education. She is a very loving, energetic, and enthusiastic teacher whose students love coming to school to learn from her. Like the rest of the teachers at St. John’s Lutheran School, Mrs. Dorow especially loves teaching the children in her care about the love of their Savior Jesus.
Mrs. Liesse Foley (Preschool Teacher)
Liesse grew up in Wisconsin and attended an area WELS grade school, very similar to St. John’s. She attended Luther Preparatory in Wisconsin for High school and then went on to Martin Luther College, to train to be a Lutheran school teacher. She married Matt in 2001 and they moved to Colorado. They lived in CO for 12 years and all 4 of their children, Hannah, Naomi, Tyus and Ella, were born there. After living in CO, they moved to Wisconsin and lived there for 5 years. Matt is the principal of Huron Valley Lutheran High School, which is our area Lutheran High School in Westland, MI. Hannah is at Martin Luther College training to be a teacher. Naomi is in her senior year and also plans to go to Martin Luther College to be an early childhood director. Tyus and Ella attend St. John’s.
Liesse enjoys coaching and playing sports. You can see her out there coaching the St. John’s soccer team and the Huron Valley Lutheran track team. She also enjoys camping and traveling with her family and being a chauffeur for all of her children’s events.
Liesse was blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom for 12 years, and then a preschool aid for the next 7 years. She is excited for the opportunity to be the lead teacher for the preschool this year. She enjoys working with little children. Seeing the smiles on the children’s faces when they learn/accomplish something new puts a smile on her face. She is always impressed with how little children have no fear of proclaiming their faith, hearing them belt out the words to “Jesus Loves Me” down the aisles of the store, in the car, or outside on the playground. Liesse is looking forward to another year of being able to be a part of helping the little lambs of St. John’s grow in their faith and become closer to their Lord and Savior.
Ms. Kenna Parker (Secretary)
Ms. Parker is an Air Force kid who moved a lot growing up. She has lived in Alaska, Florida, Pennsylvania, and now Michigan. She is an alumni of Luther Preparatory School’s graduating class of 2016 along with Ms. Cook. Prior to LPS, she attended 9 different schools due to her dad’s job. She briefly attended Martin Luther College but changed degrees to a General Education degree from Harrisburg Area Community College. She frequently attends St. Johns Lutheran Church and helps out with the technical operators during the church services. She hopes all of you can visit us!
